Is showering bad for your skin? Here’s what science tells us

Do you scrub your skin daily? Or maybe it’s a shower in the morning and a bath in the evening – you know, just to relax. However you get clean, you might have heard the rumour going around that taking a shower is actually bad for your skin, but is there any truth to this? To find out more, we’ve asked our experts at AP Skincare.

Is Showering Bad For You?

There is some evidence out there that shows that showering too often (or over-washing your skin in general) can actually be bad for you.

One study looked at the human microbiome and found that giving your skin a scrub too often damages the natural bacteria and viruses you need living on and in your body. This can have knock-on negative health effects, potentially causing damage to your immune system and heart. But what about your skin?

Is Over washing Bad For Your Skin?

Unfortunately, over washing can damage your skin. When you wash too frequently with harsh soaps, you strip away natural oils and disrupt the pH levels, leading to a whole heap of problems (think dryness and breakouts).

What’s worse, though, is that over washing can also disrupt your skin’s natural barrier. This is the outer layer of your skin that’s designed to protect you from external irritants and keep all the good things, like water and natural oils, inside. When this is damaged, your skin is thrown out of balance and you may need professional skin treatments to bring it back to a healthy condition.

What Happens If You Wash Your Face Too Much?

When you wash your face too much, you leave your skin vulnerable to a lot of issues. These include:

Of course, when you have these problems (particularly spots and dryness) you might be tempted to wash your face more. This leads to a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.

How Often Should You Shower

This is a really personal question that depends on you. If you struggle with body odour or you have a very active job, you might have to shower every day to stay fresh. For others, a few times a week is enough.

Rather than focusing on frequency, be gentler when you shower instead. Turn the water temperature down, choose a soap that’s kind to your skin (hydrating properties are a bonus), and only spend a few minutes in the shower.

How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

How often you wash your face also depends on a number of factors. If you’ve been sweating, wearing makeup, or wearing suncream (which you should do daily) it’s a good idea to wash your face every evening. If you’re seeing signs of over washing, try to skip a morning wash and focus only on the evening.

As with showering, it’s important to focus on taking care of your skin when you wash it. Rather than using a stripping soap if you struggle with breakouts, invest in professional acne treatments that will clear up the problem without damaging your skin barrier. Use a gentle face wash and cool water, followed by a serum that targets your problem areas and a hydrating moisturiser.

At AP Skincare, we can help you get the glowing, healthy skin you’re looking for. With medical-grade ingredients and powerful results, you’ll feel confident and youthful with skin that doesn’t need to be constantly washed.

From acne treatments and skin pigmentation treatments to anti-wrinkle injections and non-surgical facelifts, book an appointment by calling our helpful team on 01254 29 000. You’re also welcome to pop into our Blackburn skincare clinic, where one of our team will be happy to help with your skin concerns.